Well my handyman friend came today with his truck and to load all the green garden waste on to his truck. Give this man a pair of secateurs and he cut away too much. He got into a vine that was growing over the side fence taking with it over thirty year’s growth with it. Now you can see the tree that was getting covered, if does grow again. I think so as it still has a lot of fresh branches there. It was a Calliandra haematocephala (common names powder puff or fairy duster or red pompom flower) that can grow up to over 5 metres (15 feet.).

All garden waste was put on the truck, then we were off to the garden waste dump as our council does give each household some vouchers for dumping fees, after you have used them up you have to paid a dumping fees. One voucher for every 100kg, I used 3 vouchers today or pay $12.50 dumping fee.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Spaghetti Bolognese Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 12.50
Today’s Savings - $ 12.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7770.54

My friend arrived this evening while I cooked dinner he got to the plant with the pick. Within ten minutes it was out. It would take a lot longer if I didn’t cut the top off it in the first place. As this plant does have a lot of dead plant matter in its foliage. This I was removing while I was cutting off the leaves. It’s lucky that I have outside light in that area. When he has free time between jobs next week he will come a take it all to the garden waste dump.

Our council dump has a number of sections and one is for general waste and another for garden green waste, which they recycle for our parklands and road strip gardens that our local council looks after at the moment.

They have just found a underground water supply in one of our suburbs now, this one is being tap to supply water for these gardens and road work dust spraying. This will save millions of kilolitres potable water (drinking tap water) from being used.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Ham Salad Fruit Coffee
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

My handyman friend arrived this afternoon. He got a pick to the cardamom plant and finding it had a shallow root system but very matted. It will come out without much trouble. When he finishes work in a day or two he said he would come work on it for me. I am not that strong to take it out that way!

In all the years that I have had this plant in the garden I have saved the seeds for cooking.

It’s a large plant and it takes four years of growth before it will go into flower and make seeds. Then that part of the plant died with new growth is growing up all the time. I have cut away some that new growth and save it to give away. I will not be putting back in my garden as in ten years time I will not have the strength to do this again and replant again. My age is against me there!

BREAKFAST Baked Beans on Toast Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Mushrooms & Chicken with Vegetables Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $19.08
Today’s Savings - $4.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7639.45

It’s another no spending day, as I am still doing another bit of cutting back on the Cardamom plant. It’s had work on your knees cutting the stalks lower yet again. I have them down to six inches now. I have used some of my recycle water to wet the ground so I can start digging the plant out in couple of days or so. Hopeful!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Roast Chicken with Vegetables Fruit, Coffee

My project this week is to get ready for that water tank. It’s only week’s away from being delivered anytime after the 1st December in the time frame they gave me! With a two days notice of arrival.

Where the tank is going has a Cardamom plant growing for the past 10 years and is well matted in. This was in flower when I ordered the tank. I am looking at area 10 x 2 feet in the ground and 6 feet in height. No way can I get it out in two days with my energy levels of 1½ hours at a time per day. Today plan is to cut off the top of it. Working for about 1½ hours early this morning I got this done before it got to hot in that area. 5.00 to 6.30am is the best time for me or at night if someone else is doing it. If no one comes to help it will take about 10-15 hours for me to do, I would think or pay someone to do it for me. Goal here is have it finished by 1st December or earlier. To pay someone to remove this plant would be costly as it has be remove by hand. Savings here are great to do it for free. Well a little bit at a time will do it.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Spaghetti Bolognese Coffee

Today it’s working in the garden day. First on the list is mowing my yard. By doing it myself I’m saving $35.00 here. Sweeping and raking the yard as well. I have a big project next week in the garden!

DF-M had the Waterwise plumber (Government -$20.00) at her house today too! This one did a better job than the one that came to my house. But her plumbing was bad, hopefully it will cut down the water use there. Some of her taps have not had new washers in since they were put in 35 years ago.

Helping looking after a second house as well my own can be draining at time. At least I don’t have to do any physical work, just all the phone calls and being there when the tradesmen call’s.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Spicy Lentil & Pumpkin with Basmati Rice Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $35.00
Today’s Savings - $35.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7572.00

All I did was water the garden, I had some recycle water left from when I last did the washing so I used that today. I do try to use it up as soon as I can, it’s not wise leave a long time in storage tanks. My friend & handyman called as well! He is trying to fix my front water tap which playing up. Well it didn’t get fix this time. I made a lite lunch for both of us. Saving money by using what I have in the house and not going out to buy anything, just because I have a visitor.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad with Blue Vein Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna

I have just finished the repotting garden all but the large pots, which I will need someone too help me lift them. I am still to weed the garden but this can wait a bit longer as my next project is get ready for the tank and painting the garage which the tank will be going behind as the water will be coming off it’s roof.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Bread with Tomato & Blue Vein Cheese Carrot Cake Coffee
DINNER Black Bean Beef with Noodles Mandarin Green Tea
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup Whipped Cream

Today I got out my old Mower and mowed the grass, its not a lawn but mixed grasses with weeds in it but it green. This chore took around hour to do. I have 20 perches of land, so it’s not that large to do around the house on just three sides. I did get into weeds specially the bindi-eye with a knife. The knife handle broke but being a hoarder and a tightwad, I just went to the can that I keep some wine bottle corks in, got one out then work the knife blade into it. Now I got a few more years out that knife I think. On the subject of hoarding, I have large coffee cans that I put things in when these are full then I stop collecting that item. I find these in the street at times, or I just ask the neighbors for some as I don’t drink wine any more.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee

This morning I did heaps of gardening and finish repotting my small pots in the backyard. Geraniums, palm, angel butterfly plant etc. I cleaned up some what so that I could mow sometime this week as my back is now saying help I sore please stop. I will have a few days off as it’s my son days off soon! I always seem to have a break when people are away. This I did get some things done.

This afternoon to drove to pay my phone bill at the local newsagent. Funny I can do this over the net but I like to visualize myself paying it and it’s same with some of my other bills too! I am a very visual person knowing that if I can picture it doing the task then I know I have done it. After I when a bought Anzac biscuit saving $2.49 and some fruit buns saving $1.49 on these as well!

As gas was cheaper today I filled my tank up also. Saving 4c off a litre while I was at it. Saving 80c. Our gas is ranging from $1.01 to $1.55 per litre. So if you can get a few cents off it helps.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $25.58
Today’s Savings - $ 4.78
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6655.29

I needed to clean the pot plant area before I do much more so that it will clear and tidy to return the pots once potted. This job took over 1½ hours to do. I did cleared it out and put another bag of bark over the ground too! I did manage to get around 10 pots repotted as well! This will save me a lot of water when things get bad. I am using a cheap potting mix but adding a lots of fertilizers and Wetta ® soil products too! As I will be using mostly recycle grey water, I also adding a bit of gypsum to help with any salt in the washing grey water. I also have clay in my soil so with any run off, this will help the general ground soil as well! This is a tip I read a few months back so I am trying it out as my plants are not any nursery bought plants, they all died years ago.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee

Well I got another 12 plants repotted and planted Lemon Grass in the ground. While I was at the supermarket today, I saw mother-in-law tongues that I have just repotted today selling for $20.45 just for one plant in ceramic pot. I have around six or more, which is a weed if you grow them in the ground around here.

I went to the supermarket to get some more pet food and few groceries items on my list. Saving $5.30

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Salmon Patties and Vegetables Fruit coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $34.60
Today’s Savings - $ 5.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6650.51

Today I started to repot all my pot plants. The first I had too clean to my entry floor, which is tiled. I keep a few of my plants in this area, which I repotted today! I am trying to do about 10 to 15 per day until done, or until I run out of energy to do any more. I bought all the garden supplies over last few weeks. So its time start using it to save water, as most was for water saving and for repotting. I hope get a lot done this week as everyone is away at the moment and my son is working this weekend, and will have days off during the week instead. As he works four days straight 12 hours shifts and then has three days off, starts all over again. That is why he is at home during the week as times.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Garlic Bread & Blue Vein Cheese Fruit Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese

Why is it when I spend a day with him, I spend. Today was no different!

He just got a NEW car and it had to go in for its first service. My car was needed to pick him up for the morning. Then he wanted to go the Big Hardware store that I went to on Sunday but one near his place. So I got the sugar cane mulch and Zero weed killer applicator that I was looking for on Sunday. Saving $5.00 as the sugar cane mulch was on special.

After we went to his place so he could mower his lawn and clean his backyard up. I clean his tile floor area while I was there. Then his Labrador dog came over with mulberry juice all over him. His mulberry tree has ripe fruit, so I picked what I could of them. As he plan to cut it down to-morrow if his wife would let him. So FREE fruit.

Then it was back to the car service to pick his car up but we had to got McDonald’s for lunch on the way. Saving $1.50 on coffee senior discount.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Beef Bourguignon with Basmati Rice Fruit Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $49.21*
Today’s Savings - $ 6.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6472.51

This morning I went to the hardware store for some gardening supplies as I am starting next weekend and don’t what to go when I start. Just do it! I bought some orchid mix for my orchid. As I can’t use a hose now, I had to buy weed n feed lawn fertilizer in pellet form and a lot of water saving cones & wetting agents. I had a cappuccino & slice of cheese saving $1.00.

While I was there I went to DIY class on compost making & worn farm very interesting but a little expensive. I do have compost maker but I don’t have a worm farm. I may look in to it at a later date.

Fruit & Vegetable shopping in the afternoon, saving $4.40 on supermarket prices.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $98.00
Today’s Savings - $ 11.61
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6466.01

Today is my shopping day. I am trying to do most of my car & shopping jobs on today.

I went into the thrift shop in the shopping centre and looked at they books, which are what I normally, do. Today I came across a Calligraphy Cookbook collector item for $3.00. The cover is by Donald Jackson and all the calligraphy inside too! The Book is in good condition too. ‘Entertaining with Cranks’ it’s a vegetarian cookbook and I do have another Cranks cookbook too! Part of my cookbook collection is these kinds of books. I did do calligraphy at one stage and had a class with Donald Jackson in 1985. I think this is why I am so happy. He was at the time of writing was the Queen’s Calligrapher in England. Save $13.50 on sale of 2nd book for sale at abebooks co uk today.

Then off to the supermarket that I get a discount from. To buy my potting mix as I have a rain check for this items saving $5.55, along some gardening items instead of buy groceries I buy gardening supplies. This is a pet shopping stock up for next 2 weeks or more. If I don’t buy pets items then I don’t go to the supermarket. Well they stuff up today twice in 7 days can you believe, not the same store but little old me. I bought & checked my docket just outside of the checkout, in this case I would have not been believed if I had left the area. The check out staff did a multi sale ring up on both lots of pet food cans. I wasn’t planning to spend that much so I was checking why, 15 cans & 13 cans of pet food I don’t think so. When I & the supervisor counted them, we only got 12 & 10 cans of each sort, so a refund $4.83 on that lot. So moral of this tale check your dockets please.

I had a snack at my favorite snack bar & cheapest in the area too! Hot dog on roll & milk shake for $2.40. If I bought the same at Wendy’s, it would have cost another $4.00 so saving there.

The price gas is going down from what it was, so I put more gas in the car. Just fill it up not much I haven’t used the car much ¼ of tank. Got 4c litre off .40c as I only put 10L in.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Beef Bourguignon, Ice Cream with Ginger Chocolate Sauce Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $80.32
Today’s Savings - $22.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6181.21

As it’s been raining in the last few weeks not enough to fill the dams etc! But enough to make the grass grow and a light water on the garden. The water saved may have put back the next level of water restriction by a few days.

I had a lot of weed flowers in my lawn when mowed so I couldn’t recycle it in my compost bin. I fill two rubbish bins full of grass and weeds today. It does look nice when it’s done. Saving here $35.00 on DIY job. As I am not mowing so much I may not need to buy a new lawn mower before next year. I am also looking into pricing a water tank etc so will need to keep fund for that job, if I go ahead with a water tank. I will get a refund but the pay back time is very long winded over 6 months when you are talking $1000’s here my cash flow is not that great.

I need to go up the street to the local supermarket in the afternoon for DF-M. I did buy something as well! I had an extra key cut so that I could get into my back door if the front door lock failed at any time. It’s very unreliable at times. I am planning to get a new lock soon! It would cost me over $100 if lock failed so I think I am saving money here around $96.00, by doing this strategy. I bought some Zero spray twin pack to kill some of those lawn weeds, saving $1.50

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Low-Fat Cream Cheese & Tomato Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread
SNACK Toasted Raisin Bread

Today’s Full price Tally $48.55
Today’s Savings - $36.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6158.26

As I am testing my hearing aid which is working ok for me to use. It just stopped this morning so I called the office and was told to come in today as well next Monday. A small part that I was cleaning wrong was replaced and all is fine again! Afterward I walk down to the city parkland near by which being watered with recycle water, to have the lunch that I bought with me from home. All I bought today was prepaid bus fares, and one bottle of water it came from Java too! Next time I will check where bottled spring water is from before I buy it.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Tuna & Cranberry Sauce on Bread Roll Apple Water
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread coffee
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup & Ice Cream

Today’s Full price Tally $1.20
Today’s Savings - $ .20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5814.26

Did I need another cookbook the answer to that one is NO. But if I bought a Kraft mini cream cheese along with a tub of another Kraft cream cheese I would get a free cookbook, as there were on sale as a multi buy, so I bought that as the shelf life on all packets were until January 2007. $3.49 each but two for $4.00 + mini pack $2.35 = $6.35. Saving $2.98 + cookbook $15.00 = $17.98

I paid my power bill while I was at it too! $146.80 for the quarter. Saving $30.00 on pensioner discount.

I bought some more fertiliser at the other supermarket as I needed more potting mix and as it was the last day of the sale on it, its likelihood of there being some was slim. I plan to ask for a rain check for 5 bags. I got my rain check too! Saving $2.10 on fertiliser. Other groceries came to $5.65 saving $3.00

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Corn & Chicken Soup Toast Orange Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast

Today’s Full price Tally $217.88
Today’s Savings - $53.08
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5670.41

Even though, I am not shopping for groceries this week. I did go to the supermarket for garden supplies as one had them on special this week. So I bought five bags of potting mix and six containers of nitrophoska fertiliser, along with want I have still got from last year. I most likely need about another five bags of potting mix for my pot plants that need new soil. As I can do it in only small jobs at a time this is the best way to buy potting mix for my needs.

This afternoon I made up muffins and pancakes from packets that I still had in my pantry. So now I have some snacks to eat instead buying packet of biscuits at times. When I finish up what’s in my pantry then I will start making them from scratch. As I can put on weigh by eating my own cooking as I have to eat the whole recipe and try stretch it out over a number days or weeks where possible by making only what I can freeze in portions size. A packet of pancakes will give about 8-10 serving, limiting to only two serving per week that 4- 5 weeks worth. Too much of a good thing is fatting.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Mussels & Balsamic Vinegar with Salad Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast Fruit Coffee
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup Whipped Cream

Today’s Full price Tally $32.21
Today’s Savings - $8.85
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5617.33

Today is my monthly visit to my Chiro. So as unusual, I caught the bus today no paying parking fees for me! I went into the ABC Shop to check the prices of my prize pack. They didn’t have any left but the normal prices for these items are around $30.95 each. So the value is around $163.00 plus autograph. Not bad for two phone calls as I did ring, this morning to tell them that I received my parcel and say thank you too!

I paid my visa card off this month so I am back to Zero again.

As it’s garbage bin day to-morrow this afternoon I fill up the 2 bins with garden waste. As I have ‘Wandering Jew’ in that part of the garden it’s best to get rid of it for good.
I didn’t buy lunch today but came home to have it.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Fruit Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $173.00
Today’s Savings - $163.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5608.51

Had a busy no spending day today. I got in and did my tax and posted it too!

Hopefully I will get money back, but not to sure on that one. We will just have too wait and see.

Watered the front garden & fertilizing it too! Boy! Did it need it, as I don’t remember the last time that I did it! I am in the process of fertilizing to whole garden and adding compost as well! I plan to repot most of my pot plant’s then just see what the water restrictions will be for next level. I will just cut back as each die’s if that what it comes too!

I found some time to do some cooking tonight, as I do live off my homemade TV dinners lot!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Mussels & Balsamic Vinegar with Salad Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today I worked in a corner of my garden pruning a tree with the help of my next door neighbor's son. After putting in the branch in the two rubbish bins. I worked on the garden beds around that tree. Put in the water bottles etc. The families next door over the fence found a snake in their garden the other day. I was asked if i would lend them some of my garden tools so their could cut back the under growth in their yard as it’s a rental property with two family living there with young children. I think it was a lizard not a snake but they are about and are the poisonous ones too! So one cannot be careful. I got my tools back that is the main thing and now the garden beds are clear too! What the wive's have to do the get the their husbands to clear the garden. Just scream SNAKE!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

I had some homegrown Kent pumpkin to use up this weekend.
Chopped up half of want I had to boil and gave the other half to DF-D to use. Then I set about making some Pumpkin Soup later in the day. As I was using cooked cold pumpkin, I need to charge the recipe somewhat. I blended few recipes together and did a what's in the pantry style soup I start out with 3 pounds of raw pumpkin that was cooked & cold still in it's cooking water. I put this in a large saucepan and blend/mashed to a pulp. Adding 1 tbsp. vegetable stock powder to 1 cup boiling water into the mixture. Heating this up on a stovetop. Adding 2 tsp. minced garlic, 2 tsp. minced ginger paste, 2 tsp. grounder coriander, 2 tsp. Thai Green Chilli Paste, and to give a bit more of a kick, I put in 100g Cajun All Purpose Sauce that need to be use up. After bring to the boil then slowly simmering for around 20 minutes. I had large serving of this for dinner with toast. I got around 6 serving for next few days. It can be frozen up to two months. I just reheat it in the microwave.

Now to make a copycat recipe of Cajun All Purpose Sauce. It will be fun trying!

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs & Toast Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese on Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin Soup with Toast Salad Coffee

Our neighborhood has many small gardens with each household grows the right herbs in the right spot for that herb. I have Rosemary, Chives, lemon grass, bay tree, curry tree, mint,& my Italian Flat Parsley which is growing as a weed in my garden, but I like it as it ground cover in the garden beds.

DF-M has oregano, basil, chilli & dill, which I go and pick if I need it. A lot of other neighbors come and help themselves to my parsley at times. But will not allow them to use the roots. Some of the others have different varieties of chilli growing.

I went shopping with DF-D I got a bargain in bread roll 39c for six. Saving $2.10, along with other specials saving around $4.82 and buying pet food.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $18.17
Today’s Savings - $6.92
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4323.21

So I got into the mowing, that I have been putting off for a few weeks now! It done!!!!

While I was at it, I watered the back garden and did two loads of washing plus hand washing and hung it all under my house. Where did I find the energy from, I don’t know, so all my large projects for this week are now done!

This afternoon I had a nap for an hour or so! Now I am working on the computer until Dinner time!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Avocado Salad with Crackers & Herb Cottage Cheese Chocolate Cake Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $186.70

Its washing day again but its over cast but very little rain but only on the coast. I did hang my clothes under cover as I don’t need them for a few days anyway! I watered my back garden with the recycled water as I washed today and it did the whole back yard garden too! I had a few buckets leftover for top up in a few days time. Lawn still doesn’t need a mow sp I am lucky I may get a few more months before I need to buy a new lawn mower. Just think of all the interest that I am saving as I now saved the money for it. I have earmark around $500 for the mower, even if it’s just in my mind.

I will mow some time next week and give the yard a bit of a tidy up & mulch, mulch.

BREAKFAST –Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee 35c
LUNCH - Soup & Toast Mandarin Coffee 40c
DINNER – Chilli Con Carne & Toast Coffee $1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $123.40

I had a go at my new system with all my buckets and water holding rubbish bins etc for my grey water.

Some ideas worked but others were not as successful as I hoped! I need to empty my rubbish bins before I washed so I watered the back yard with them.

Saving the soapy water to put back in the washing machine and having enough buckets to do this task. 10 buckets and 2 large rubbish bins were not enough.

As for the recycle water hose that I bought, I need some way to fix it to my washing machine waste hose and be able to remove it also! I used up 2 ideas as far with very little success.

I am still learning on this one so it’s back to the drawing broad. MMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants Coffee 2 Toast & Jam, Coffee 60c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Chutney, Mandarin Coffee 65c
DINNER Omelette with Sweet Chilli Sauce Apple Coffee. 65c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $100.20

I am cutting back on unwanted plants, tiding up some plants. Raking garden lawn as I don’t need to mow it just yet, another 2 weeks I would think then just cutting the tops off weeds in the lawn. As I plan to keep it a little higher than it is now!

Tidy the patio and sweeping it too! Removed any dead or unsightly plants.

As for watering it’s now via buckets or watering can only. I filled my yellow Tuff tub bucket up then just filled my watering can to half each time. As when you fill it to full it’s too heavy and I do have a sore back to start with.

As a younger adult I worked on a drink bar. So I know how heavy buckets can be if you are doing it for along time like we will be, then you just don’t fill them up to the top! At least I will not have to waters any plants above my head as I did when I was working filling drink machines with buckets on the drink bar.

This may be the reason that I am more safety conscious than other people, as I had that job for 10 years.

I had to drive to the hardware superstore today. The nearest one is about 6km away.

As we went into level 3 water restrictions last week, I needed to buy more buckets and Bunnings one’s are more sturdier than the cheaper buckets but half the price more. ($1.50 to 89c) these are for my grey water in my laundry. Also bought a 42L rubber large Tuff bucket to fill so that I am not standing holding it up everytime to fill up. I do have a bad back to start with so I have to find ways around this problem. I got my 2 hose reels and fitting to put my hoses away too! They were a little expensive, I bought them for safety as this comes before money on my list. I would have to look after myself if I had an accident. I got a new rake for $2.65 also I was charged twice which I found out when I arrived home. Plus some other items. $$$Another Strategy ~ safety first

It may be a small amount of $2.65, but if everyone didn’t go back for a refund then they win!

I rang them up so that 20c off the refund to start. Yes, they did remember me. So I will not to wait to run a security camera check on the sale. “They run a security camera at each register and then view footage before a give a refund if there is any doubt!” (Yes, this is what she said on the phone.) They had a run of people taking other peoples dockets at some stage, then duplicating what was on it, when returning to a store for part refunds later! Another friend had her docket stolen while she was getting the charges from her sale. You need a docket the leave the store with any goods. This little exercise costs $58.74 less $2.65 when I get it. I will go back to-morrow as the girl who served me is on duty then!
$$$Another Strategy ~ check dockets & get your refunds if wrong.

As it was lunch time and I need to go grocery shopping on the way home. (Multi task trip here.)

I had lunch of a hot dog & mustard roll and milkshake at our Cheapest Snack Bar locality. It’s a one off snack bar. They serve a very limited menu, hot dogs, doughnuts and gingerbread men & drinks but they prices are cheaper by more than half what you pay at other places like Wendy’s. Cost $2.45* saving $4.55 if I bought at café in the hardware store. I nearly did too! I bought Pet Food & Grocery needed at supermarket cost $13.75 only saving 65c on Retire Staff Discount Card.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants with Milk Coffee 35c
LUNCH hot dog & milk shake *
DINNER Devilled Sausages Yogurt & LSA Coffee 75c
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $1.10

Today’s Full price Tally $79.49*
Today’s Savings - $5.20
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $92.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2842.21